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When the nearly 600 attendees of the 2017 Palm Springs Equality Awards recently seated themselves at the Riviera Palm Springs, they found a 3-D representation of the new EQCA (Equality California) logo at the center of each table.

As they would later learn from a short video, the familiar = sign stacked over a reverse 7, graphically represents the shape of the state of California, with the phrase "For All." Supporters feel it is a fitting recognition of the fact that LGBTQ people are deserving of social justice, as a part of every racial, ethnic, and religious community. The new tagline "Until the work is done" emphasizes the lack of basic civil rights protections for LGBTQ people in most states and at the federal level.

In recognition of the one-year anniversary of the death of two Palm Springs police officers killed in the line of duty, they invited everyone to attend a memorial of their lives the next day, as police chief Brian Reyes and fire chief J. Kevin Nalder received thunderous applause.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D) and her husband Ambassador Sidney Williams get a chuckle when called out from stage during Waters' introduction(Photo: Chris Schmitt/Special to The Desert Sun)

The audience continued to show their gratitude for the more than 30 elected officials present that evening, including U.S. Congressional representatives Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-CA 36,) Mark Takano (D-CA 41,) and Maxine Waters D-CA 43.) The co-chairs also gave shout-outs to current candidates for Palm Springs City Council, Lisa Middleton and Christy Holstege.

EQCA Board Director and event co-chair James Williamson interviews two students from Raymond Cree Middle School's Gay Straight Alliance club, Andrea Aguilar and Marilu Jacinto about their experience in an safe and supportive school environment.(Photo: Chris Schmitt/Special to The Desert Sun)

Congressman Ruiz introduced EQCA executive director Rick Zbur who spoke of the importance of continuing the organization's work throughout the country, particularly given the current presidential administration's policies.

Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur delivered a moving speech about the work of the organization(Photo: Chris Schmitt/Special to The Desert Sun)

LOCAL SCHOOL WINS

A bright spot for the future of tolerance came when Raymond Cree Middle School received the Equality for All Award, accepted by principal Bernie Marez, followed by the school's students singing "Step One" from "Kinky Boots" with the Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus.

Ginny Foat(Photo: Chris Schmitt/Special to The Desert Sun)

As a part of accepting the evening's Lifetime Achievement Award, Ginny Foat talked of her work and friendship with and deep admiration for Congresswoman Maxine Waters. In addition to helping organize groundbreaking efforts advancing the civil rights of gays, women, and other minorities, Foat was also a leader in HIV care as a part of her lengthy service career. Foat was followed by California Assembly member Evan Low who introduced a video about HIV Criminalization Reform that significantly advanced California's HIV laws.

Introduced by its namesake, Waters received the Geoff Kors Leadership Award, proclaiming "No one is equal until we're all equal. Let's make sure America lives up to its promise!" Having become something of a social media hero to younger "digital natives," Waters played off her admonition to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, as she urged the crowd to "Reclaim your time!"

Each year, the Equality Awards are held in five different California cities - Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Palm Springs - as a means of both honoring inspirational leaders and outstanding allied organizations, as well as to raise necessary funding to continue EQCA's work in each location. The 2017 Palm Springs Equality Awards clearly contributed its share with nearly $300,000 in sponsorship and ticket sales, with another $53,000 in text-to-give contributions throughout the evening. Presenting sponsors included Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Lyft, Harold Matzner, and Fred Noble.

Lisa Middleton, left, and Christy Holstege are candidates for the Palm Springs City Council.(Photo: Chris Schmitt/Special to The Desert Sun)

With almost 800,000 members, Equality California is the nation's largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer civil rights organization.

EQCA strives to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. For more information or to support the work, visit eqca.org.